Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-01-28

ilS CIRCUMSTANCE SlSnluCdHI euOuSu u
inspire every American with new hope as
to the value and permanency OF our insti'
tutions. Civil liberty can never perish in
a country where the representatives OF
the people have the nerve to pass meas
ure like the interstate commerce bill.
Let the respondent take heart, for the
county isn't going to the dogs by any
means.
FOREIGNERS AND CITIZENSHIP.
The joint resolution proposing to
amend article c, section 2, of the state
constitution may be expected to evoke
some opposition, and perhaps CT g siren
uous nature. Briefly stated, the propo-
sition is to strike out the clause permit
ting foreigner to vote upon his simple
declaration that he intends to become q
citizen. There are those who will con-
tend that the present liberal policy to-
ward foreigners, as to admitting them to
! the rights and privileges OF citizenship,
ought not to be changed or abridged. 1t
VIII be urged that such policy will be a
governmental blunder, having a tendency
/ to check the tide Of foreign immigration
to Texas, and calculated to create dis
trust and dissatisfaction IN the minds of
foreigners who have already become citi
Zens. Finally, there will no DOUBT be
the usual amount of sentimental gush
about this country being the refuge If the
worlds oppressed, etc, which forms a
large part Of the stock in trade of GER
to n c.ass Of politicians and is so pop
ular with debating societies. But
thoughtful, practical and we may
add fair minded citizens, whether they De
native or naturalized, will discern many
meritorious features in Senator Burney's
proposition. For several years, but no.
tably within the last half decade, the
drift of events in this country has been
of nature to inspire intelligent observ-
ers with the conviction that there is such
thing as being too free and liberal in
dispensi. g the privileges of American
citizenship. THE GAZETTE does not for
moment underestimate the value of our
foreign citizens, especially the thrifty
Germans. These races from foreign
shores nave given US thousands of useful,
law-abiding citizens. They have, as a
rule, prospered in the country of their
adoption, and it IS gratifying that such Is
the case. But on the other hand, it may
be urged with equal force and truthful
ness that We have been burdened with
q class of citizens by adoption who are
not SO useful; on the contrary, they are q
menace to public peace and order and
the stability of our institutions. Too
many of them come here imbued with the
spirit of unrest and discomfort they
imbibed in their European homes.
They come, thousands of them,
utterly ignorant of our laws, Gus
toms, aspirations or even our language.
They assume the obligations and acquire
the privileges Of citizenship without even
partial conception of what they are
doing, and as result they neglect the
obligations and abuse the privileges.
The admixture Of this foreign element
above described into the body polite
has lot borne coed fruit. The foreign
ers have preached the propaganda OF
socialism and the commune, and COM
muAicated their unrest to our native
of to-day with even a decade ago and il
will be seen how alarming is the outlook
for the future. THE GAZETTE believes
that as measure of selfdefeuse the
acquisition of citizenship should be under
more carefully guarded conditions than
exist now. A foreigner should be re-
CURED to reside here long enough to &C
quaint himself to an intelligent extent
with the language, laws and customs of
the country-long enough to afford not
only indubitable evidence that he in
tends to become citizen, but that he APP
preciates the privilege he is
acquiring. This would be a
reasonable requirement and the i'm
migrant who objects to ltshould simply
be compelled to accept its .erms or re-
does not impose any hardship upon the
prospective citizen, for during his probs-
tion he may follow any pursuit open to
him, acquire property, sue and be sued,
testify in court, do anything in short (but
vote and hold office) and enjoy the full
protection of the laws. The spirit of the
Knownothing party was intolerable, for
IL wes bigotry, but it is an open question
if we have not gone to the other extreme
in keeping the doors Of citizenship open
for all who choose to enter and making
them virtually citizens after merely
nominal residence. If this bill will strike
the golden mean of enlightened liberality
on the one hand, and prudent foresight on
the other, 1t will be well worthy the con-
sideration Of the legislature as measure
that is calculated to give stronger assur-
ance of stability and order in our polit-
ical and social institutions. An ounce OF
prevention is sometimes worth q pound
of cure.
THE FORT IS SERENE.
The efforts of the Dallas Times to dis
turb the serenity of Fort Worth are